My #1 Secret for Managing Overwhelm

My team and I are getting ready for a big women’s retreat. I live in a little mountain community in Western North Carolina and the nearest Office Depot is an hour away. Getting event details handled here definitely takes more time, planning and effort—and sometimes, it can be stressful.

Yesterday morning, I looked around my home (it’s a mess!), my office (even worse!) and my planner/task list for our late April event (whew!). I could feel overwhelm lapping at my feet. I know when this feeling comes to visit–signified by a tightening in my chest, a discomfort in my belly–it’s time to pause and step away to get clear on what matters most. And, to ask, “What is uniquely mine to do and what most needs my attention right now?”

Since I started my first business, Career Strategists, in 1999,  I have been taking personal retreats each quarter to help me get focused on the best use of my time, energy and talents. I find these especially critical when my plate is really full.  I live by the reminder that “Life is not a thing to be managed, but a mystery to be lived,” and in order to live into the mystery, I have to pause frequently to reassess how I’m using my energy (read more).

Intrigued? This week, I invite you to consider getting a personal planning retreat on your calendar (it’s free and your retreat can be as short as four hours or as long as an entire weekend).  Here are my tips for taking a personal retreat.  And if you’d like personal mentoring from me around, “What is yours to do?” consider joining me and amazing soulful women on Friday, April 25th, from 9-5 for Tending Your Creative Fire: A Women’s Self-Renewal Retreat near Asheville, NC (learn more). Almost sold out!

Let me know how it goes and what you uncover this week. These planned breaks are great for getting the “30,000-foot view” of your life and are a wonderful, nurturing way for you to invest in yourself.  “From stillness comes discernment.”

Warmly,

SOME SELF-RENEWAL EVENTS/RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR GROWTH:

• **Almost sold out!** April 25, 2025 ~ Tending Your Creative Fire: A Women’s Self-Renewal Retreat ~ 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Lake Logan Retreat Center, Canton, NC (near Asheville, NC). Join women from across NC and the Southeast US as we enjoy a day of deep replenishment, renewal and sisterhood. Special discount for Hurricane Helene victims. An ideal retreat to bring family/friends to and enjoy a weekend in the Blue Ridge mountains. Early bird rate available for this week.  Learn more/register here.
• Schedule me to speak in 2025-26. Did you know my primary work is speaking professionally at national/regional conferences, employee events and to companies/organizations worldwide? I love weaving neuroscience, life balance strategies, mindfulness & resiliency practices to create unforgettable workshops & presentations that help people feel more creative, focused, resourced and alive. Learn more about my speaking here.
• Lead women’s groups/retreats! Secrets to Facilitating Life-Changing Women’s Groups/Retreats in Uncertain Times ~ an online, self-paced mentoring course. Would you like to empower women in your area in 2025 through facilitating women’s groups/retreats? Based on Renee’s 30+ years experience training 450+ facilitators and teaching at world-renowned retreat centers like Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, this supportive, empowering on-demand video course offers everything you need to start facilitating women’s circles and retreats. Only $195. Learn more.
• Wild Souls Nature Adventures (based in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western NC): authentic movement classes, community song circles, full moon hikes, meditation/resiliency workshops, women’s circles & more. Have me design a custom experience for your team/friends. April classes: April 20^th (private events April 13 and 27^th); classes every Sunday in May. Learn more.